LIVING WILLS

Early day motion 1874, tabled 5 November 2003 by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 66 members.

That this House welcomes the growing use of living wills, which allow patients to set out the medical treatments they would accept or refuse should they lose the ability to communicate; recognises that they are also a great help to health professionals because they give them a better understanding of how patients wish to be treated; and calls upon all hospital and primary care trusts to draw up and enact guidelines to enable staff to recognise and respond to them safely and effectively.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 19, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Independent 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1.